Risk Factors for Injury

Risk Factors & Odds Ratio Shoulder dystocia 76.1 Forceps delivery 3.4 Vacuum extraction 2.7 Gestational diabetes 1.9 Other Risk Factors Include: Breech delivery, Multiparity, Macrosomia, Previous child with injury

Improvement varies from child to child. It also depends on what kind of surgery was done. If your child only has scar tissue removed, you may notice some improvement within a month.

If your child has a nerve graft, you may see some improvement after six months. Improvement may be slow, and progress may continue for almost two years. A nerve may be grafted if there is a rupture or avulsion.

Sometimes the surgeon must remove a section of nerve because of scar tissue. Then, a nerve graft is used to reconnect the ends of the nerve. It is important to realize that brachial plexus surgery is not a miracle cure. However, for some children it is the best way to regain nerve control.

There are times when nerve surgery is not recommended or is not successful . In these instances, the team may recommend surgery to transfer muscles and tendons. This type of surgery can give a child better functional use of the arm and hand.